Steve McClaren's got a headache - and he's delighted! The brilliant all-round performance has left the manager with selection dilemmas in every area of the field.

He's found the formation he was looking for - certainly until Stewart Downing is fit - and now it's all about being fair to the in-form players. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has done himself no harm in the battle to partner Yakubu on a regular basis.

Three goals in four games speaks for itself, and now it's Mark Viduka who is under pressure to break back in. Then there's Gaizka Mendieta. No more a role on the right wing for him, surely.

He looked every bit the Spanish superstar on Saturday.

But perhaps the most intriguing battle for places will come at the back once Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu are fit again.

For starters, few fans would be happy to see Chris Riggott eased out again.

The 25-year-old has been a tower of strength over the past four games and, as McClaren said last week, is starting to come of age.

Alongside him, Franck Queudrue has taken to his new role like a duck to water, while teenager Matthew Bates has belied his years with stunning displays.

It's hard to think that Southgate won't get back in again when he is fit because he's incapable of having a bad game.

But McClaren has clear decisions to make, especially on the occasions when he opts for a flat back four.

Striker's goal-den memory>

>

Hit man John O'Rourke was at the Riverside on Saturday to witness Boro's goals deluge.

The 60-year-old striker, who scored 42 goals in 72 appearances for Boro in the Sixties, was visiting the stadium for the very first time - and was impressed.

John said: "The whole day was brilliant. I'm still on cloud nine.

"I could never have imagined that I would receive such a fantastic reception.

"Everybody was wonderful to me and I shall never forget the day."

John was invited by Gordon Jones on behalf of the Boro Former Players Association and could hardly have picked a better match.

He said: "We all had a little bet beforehand but nobody could have imagined that Boro would beat Manchester United so convincingly.

"But Boro fully deserved it. I was very impressed. Obviously Mendieta is a special player.

"And I was so impressed with the stadium. Everything about it. The atmosphere was unbelievable."

John also paid a visit to his former stamping ground at Ayresome Park, which is now a housing estate.

He said: "It was nice to go back but, to be honest, I found it impossible to recognise anything.

"But we went around the town and I recognised some of the landmarks."

John, who lives on the South Coast and works as an airport security officer, played for Luton Town and Ipswich among others, but still regards the Boro as his main club.

He added: "I always tell people that Boro's my No.1 club. Now it's a stronger bond than ever.

"I'd love to come back again in the future."

Page 2: Dave wired for soundLots of bidding at saleBricks galore on the Road

Dave wired for sound>

Teesside ref Dave Roberts is breaking new ground when he controls games in the IFA Shield in Calcutta this month.

The local official and Boro fan will be wired up during the matches for the TV broadcast. Dave, a well-known TV personality with ESPN Star Sports in Singapore, said: "They think this will be the first time in the world a 'ref mic' has been used for the entire duration of a big game. Everyone watching will hear what goes on on the pitch."

The IFA Shield is the second oldest club competition in the world, second only to the FA Cup, having been established by the British Army in the 19th Century. The Salt Lake Stadium is nothing new to Dave, having reffed his last game there in front of 120,000 fans.

Malaysia champions Perlis and German club Bayern Munich are among the teams competing in the IFA Shield, along with Eastern giants like Kingfisher East Bengal, Mohun Bagan AC and Mohammedan SC.

While Dave is looking forward to the big games, he's been 'slumming it' as part of his build-up.

Recent games at Crook and Morpeth have enabled him to keep his feet on the ground!

Lots of bidding at sale>

A collection of 1960s metal lapel badges realised more than #1,400 at the Great North Football Memorabilia Auction at Marton Hotel and Country Club.

Keen bidding all through the sale resulted in former Boro winger Ralph Birkett's England cap being snapped up for #600 while his Football League medal made a respectable #320.

A Boro v Sheffield United programme from 1929 topped #160. Signed material was much in demand with a postcard of former 1930s Boro captain Bob Baxter making #78 and mounted picture of Brian Clough #52.

The programme for Ayresome Park's first floodlit game against Sunderland 1957 made #58, while scarce single sheet British Railway timetables from Boro's FA Cup matches in the 1960s made #40.

Organiser John Wilson said the event was a great success with more than 90pc of the lots sold.

John's next public sale is in the spring. To reserve suitable items for inclusion call 07718 120274.

Bricks galore on the Road>

The second phase of the Boro Brick Road was completed in time for the Manchester United clash.

More than 1,000 new bricks have been laid alongside the original 3,000.

A third phase will be laid in time for Christmas, with the deadline for orders being the end of November.

Boro Brick Road order forms are available from the MFC Retail stores, stadium reception and the club's official website at mfc.co.uk.

Brick prices range from #39.95 for a single brick with black lettering to #89.95 for a double brick with gold lettering.